Meet Matt Morgan | Restauranteur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Matt Morgan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matt, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
I feel like I have always worked hard, with a kind of “grind it out” mentality. I never give up, always believe that I will be successful in the end. Somewhere along the way I also learned to blend in a good dose of discipline with the work ethic. There were plenty of years earlier in my life where hard work and a lack of discipline were getting me no where, fast.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I kind of accidently wound up as a career restaurant professional. I had worked restaurant jobs since I was 15 years old, but always assumed I would wind up doing something else. A few years in I realized that I loved what I was doing and was right where I was supposed to be. I can’t say that there is anything remarkable about what I have done; I was always willing to show up and give it my best, always trying to advance myself and my skill set, working my way up in the organization. I started out busing tables at Sweet Basil in 1987, and my favorite business card to this day has my title as “Busboy with Keys”. Aside from that, I have been blessed with good timing and some amazing people to work with.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We are lucky to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world here in Vail. Our week would certainly include time exploring some of the incredible mountains where we live. Skiing obviously if in the winter; if not we’d do some hiking and fishing, maybe some time on the river and a round or two of golf. And of course we’d have to come enjoy the food scene in Vail with stops at Matsuhisa, the Left Bank, and I’d probably have to show off Sweet Basil and Mountain Standard while I was at it!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I certainly wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for my incredible wife, Jana. Let’s just say she put up with me in some of the less disciplined times, and thanks to her and my loving family, I was able to find a better me. Secondly, my now retired partner, Kevin Clair. He saw something in me and gave me a shot, and taught me a heck of a lot over the years.

Website: sweetbasilvail.com, mtnstandard.com

Instagram: sweetbasilvail, mtnstandard

Facebook: Sweet Basil, Mountain Standard